Bleeding patterns and the Nexplanon implant

Continuous progestogen-only contraceptive methods cause well-known alterations in a woman’s natural menstrual bleeding pattern, including amenorrhoea, irregular bleeding and/or prolonged bleeding.^{24, 32} All of these bleeding patterns have been noted to occur with the Nexplanon implant, and clinical data show that:^{1, 13}

• One in five women will experience amenorrhoea.
• One in five women have prolonged bleeding.
• One in 20 women have infrequent bleeding.
• One in 35 women have frequent bleeding.

Any irregular bleeding patterns that occur with the Nexplanon implant may improve with time.¹³ Before the insertion of contraceptive implant, however, women should be counselled on the type and likelihood of bleeding changes during Nexplanon use as this can help manage their expectations and potentially improve overall continuation rates.^{1, 13, 32}

An example of bleeding pattern changes with the Nexplanon implant¹³

Definition of bleeding patterns based on criteria set by the World Health Organization (WHO)^{13, 33}

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